Class -XII, HISTORY, Ch-5

1. Analyze the evidence for slavery provided Ibn-Battuta.

Ans. According to Ibn-Battuta –

1. Slaves like any other commodity, were openly sold in the markets.

2. They were also regularly exchanged as gifts.

3. When Ibn-Battuta reached Sindh, he purchased horses, camels and slaves. He wanted to offer them as gifts to sultan Muhammad Bin Tuglaq.

4. When he reached to Multan, he presented salves and horses with almonds and raisins to the Governor of Multan.

5.  Ibn-batuta says that Muhammad bin Tughlaq was so happy with the sermon of a preacher named Nasiruddin that he gave him”ahundred thousand tankas and two hundred slaves.

6. The sultan employed female slaves in his service and also to keep a watch on his nobles.

7. The slaves were also engageChoose the correct option:
The European traveller who has given a detailed description of the practice of Sati.
a) Jean Baptiste Tavernier
b) Manucci
c) Francois Bernier
d) Roberto Nobili
(Chapter 5 : Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans: c) Francois Bernier

2. Name the traveller for whom the term, globe-trotter, is used.
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans: Ibn Battuta

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3. Give the meaning of the term "Antyaja".
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans:It means : born outside the system

4.What were "Camp towns" according to Bernier ?
(Chapter 5 : Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans:
Bernier described Mughal cities as "camp towns", by which he meant towns that owed their existence, and depended for their survival, on the imperial camp. He believed that these came into existence when the imperial court moved in and rapidly declined when it moved out.

5.What were the view points of Al-Biruni on Indian caste system ?
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers : Perceptions of Society)

Ans:
Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by looking for parallels in other societies.
In ancient Persia, four social categories were recognised: those of knights and princes; monks, fire-priests and lawyers; physicians, astronomers and other scientists; and finally, peasants and artisans. His suggestion was that social divisions were not unique to India.
At the same time he pointed out that within Islam all men were considered equal, differing only in their observance of piety.
Al-Biruni's description of the caste system was deeply influenced by his study of normative Sanskrit texts which laid down the rules governing the system from the point of view of the Brahmanas.
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6.What were the views of foreign travellers on women and slaves in medieval India ?
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers : Perceptions of Society)

Ans:
Slaves
Slaves were openly sold in markets, like any other commodity, and were regularly exchanged as gifts.
Some female slaves in the service of the Sultan were experts in music and dance.
Female slaves were also employed by the Sultan to keep a watch on his nobles.
Slaves were generally used for domestic labour.
Slaves
In India the practice of sati say women embracing death cheerfully while others were forced to die.
Women labour was crucial in both agricultural and non-agricultural production.
Women from merchant families participated in commercial activities, sometimes even taking mercantile disputes to the court of law. It therefore seems unlikely that women were confined to the private spaces of their homes.d for domestic work. But they were given low wages.

8.  Ibn-Battuta found their services particularly indispensable for carrying women and men on palanquins or dola.

Choose the correct option:
The European traveller who has given a detailed description of the practice of Sati.
a) Jean Baptiste Tavernier
b) Manucci
c) Francois Bernier
d) Roberto Nobili
(Chapter 5 : Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans: c) Francois Bernier

2. Name the traveller for whom the term, globe-trotter, is used.
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans: Ibn Battuta

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3. Give the meaning of the term "Antyaja".
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans:It means : born outside the system

4.What were "Camp towns" according to Bernier ?
(Chapter 5 : Through the Eyes of Travellers - Perceptions of Society)

Ans:
Bernier described Mughal cities as "camp towns", by which he meant towns that owed their existence, and depended for their survival, on the imperial camp. He believed that these came into existence when the imperial court moved in and rapidly declined when it moved out.

5.What were the view points of Al-Biruni on Indian caste system ?
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers : Perceptions of Society)

Ans:

• Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by looking for parallels in other societies.
• In ancient Persia, four social categories were recognised: those of knights and princes; monks, fire-priests and lawyers; physicians, astronomers and other scientists; and finally, peasants and artisans. His suggestion was that social divisions were not unique to India.
• At the same time he pointed out that within Islam all men were considered equal, differing only in their observance of piety.
• Al-Biruni's description of the caste system was deeply influenced by his study of normative Sanskrit texts which laid down the rules governing the system from the point of view of the Brahmanas.

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6.What were the views of foreign travellers on women and slaves in medieval India ?
(Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers : Perceptions of Society)

Ans:
Slaves

• Slaves were openly sold in markets, like any other commodity, and were regularly exchanged as gifts.
• Some female slaves in the service of the Sultan were experts in music and dance.
• Female slaves were also employed by the Sultan to keep a watch on his nobles.
• Slaves were generally used for domestic labour.

Slaves

• In India the practice of sati say women embracing death cheerfully while others were forced to die.
• Women labour was crucial in both agricultural and non-agricultural production.
• Women from merchant families participated in commercial activities, sometimes even taking mercantile disputes to the court of law. It therefore seems unlikely that women were confined to the private spaces of their homes.